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The UEFA Euro 2024 will begin in four months, starting with a match between Germany and Scotland in Munich. The tournament will feature a variety of talented players, many of whom are just starting their careers. In this article, we will highlight 10 players from four different categories to keep an eye on leading up to the tournament.
Superstar
Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid, midfielder, 20) was once ridiculed, but in hindsight, Birmingham’s decision to retire his shirt seems perfectly reasonable. It is illogical that the young England midfielder is only 20 years old and has already had three successful seasons at Borussia Dortmund. He has now become an instant hero at Real Madrid, showcasing his winning mentality and leadership qualities. At the time of writing, he has scored 20 goals in all competitions. Will his impact be greater than that of Harry Kane this summer? Only time will tell.
Major players
Reworded: Florian Wirtz, a 20-year-old attacking midfielder from Germany’s Bayer Leverkusen, makes playing football look effortless. His exceptional game reading abilities and technical skills allow him to effortlessly execute difficult passes. Widely considered the brightest star in the Bundesliga, Wirtz is constantly learning and improving under the guidance of Xabi Alonso. He currently holds the record for most assists in Europe’s top leagues with 15 across all competitions. As the national team looks to rebuild, it will be up to Julian Nagelsmann to harness Wirtz’s talents and build the team around him. Unfortunately, Wirtz missed the 2022 World Cup due to a knee injury, but when he is leading the team, Germany will be a force to be reckoned with.
Xavi Simons, a 20-year-old attacking midfielder from the Netherlands who currently plays for RB Leipzig, was raised at La Masia. Despite sharing a name with Barcelona legend Xavi, he was actually born in Amsterdam. Simons embodies the Dutch-Catalan style of play and showcases the artistic abilities that the late Johan Cruyff would have admired. His versatile style, reminiscent of Total Football, makes it difficult to pinpoint his exact position on the field. Some may argue he is a playmaker, winger, second striker, or central midfielder, but his dynamic movements and ability to impact the game from anywhere make it hard to define. Although his loan spell at RB Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain may not be considered romantic, Simons still captures the hearts of purists, especially when he dons the iconic orange jersey. He could prove to be a crucial player for the Netherlands in the upcoming summer competitions.
Already regular internationals
António Silva, a 20-year-old centre-back from Portugal’s Benfica team, shared that Rúben Dias is his role model when he was promoted to the senior squad in the summer of 2022. After quickly solidifying his spot at Estádio da Luz, Silva was thrilled to join Dias on the national team a few months later. While he was a substitute during the 2022 World Cup, Silva is now ready to shine alongside Dias at Euro 2024. Despite having similar skills such as leadership, composure under pressure, tactical awareness, and physical strength, this is not an issue for the pair. Silva is expected to be the next high-profile transfer from Benfica after the tournament.
At the age of 20, Giorgio Scalvini from Italy’s Atalanta team is making a name for himself as a centre-back. He shares the same first name as the retired Italian hero Giorgio Chiellini, who helped lead the team to victory in the 2021 European Championship. While Chiellini has now retired, Scalvini is ready to step up and showcase his unique style of play in a blue jersey this summer. Unlike Chiellini, Scalvini is known for his height, elegance, and involvement in both defense and attack. His skills have flourished during his two seasons with Atalanta, catching the attention of Azzurri coach Luciano Spalletti. It will be exciting to see Scalvini team up with Internazionale’s Alessandro Bastoni on the field, and Chiellini will surely be proud to see his successor’s success.
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Benjamin Sesko, a 20-year-old forward from Slovenia who currently plays for RB Leipzig, has been making waves in the football world. Slovenia has produced notable goalkeepers such as Samir Handanovic and Jan Oblak, but has lacked a standout attacker since Zlatko Zahovic’s time, who is now 53 years old. However, Sesko is changing that trend and has the potential to become a top-class striker. He possesses great strength and power, and his positioning and goal-scoring abilities in the penalty area are unmatched. In essence, Sesko can be seen as the eastern European version of Erling Haaland. While Norway did not qualify for Euro 2024, Sesko’s impressive performance in the qualifiers, where he scored five goals, has secured his spot in the tournament. His success with RB Leipzig also suggests that he has found his footing in Germany.
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Warren Zaïre-Emery, a 17-year-old midfielder from France who plays for PSG, is part of a talented French squad. The decision to include him in the lineup for the Paris Saint-Germain team, where he is a regular starter for both Ligue 1 and the Champions League, will ultimately be up to coach Didier Deschamps. However, Zaïre-Emery has already gained valuable experience and is considered a complete midfielder. He excels in technical, physical, and tactical aspects of the game. Not only is he strong in tackling and efficient in passing, but he also has a knack for scoring goals. His international debut, where he scored against Gibraltar, was a promising start, but he will face tough competition for a spot on the French national team.
Arthur Vermeeren, a 19-year-old midfielder from Belgium who plays for Atlético Madrid, has been compared to the likes of Andrés Iniesta and Andrea Pirlo in his home country. He possesses a unique ability to create space and time in the midfield, and his passing skills have earned him the possibility of becoming the long-term successor to Kevin De Bruyne. Vermeeren made a breakthrough midway through the 2022-23 season and played a crucial role in Antwerp’s first title win since 1957. He caught the attention of many after his impressive performance in the Champions League, which included a goal against Barcelona. In January, he made a move to Atlético Madrid, though it is uncertain if he will receive enough playing time under Diego Simeone to secure a spot in the starting lineup for Euro 2024. However, Vermeeren is undeniably the most exciting player in the new generation of Belgian footballers – and he faces tough competition.
Lamine Yamal, a 16-year-old winger from Spain who plays for Barcelona, holds the title of the youngest player and scorer in the history of both the club and the country. He will turn 17 a day before the Euro 2024 final and there is speculation that he could make a significant impact on the national team’s performance in the tournament. This scenario may have seemed far-fetched a few months ago, but Yamal has proven himself to be a strong leader at the club level. Despite his young age, he displays exceptional decision-making skills on the right wing and possesses leadership qualities. His energy and confidence could potentially fill the void left by the injured Gavi during the tournament.
Yildiz, a Turkish football player currently playing for Juventus as a forward, was disappointed to miss the 2022 European Under-17 Championship due to an injury. However, he has become Turkey’s main hope for the senior tournament. He made a smart decision by leaving Bayern Munich for Juventus’s academy and has quickly gained attention in Serie A as one of the league’s most promising attackers. Although he was born and raised in Bavaria, Yildiz chose to represent his parents’ homeland and scored his first senior goal against Germany in a friendly match in November. He is expected to shine in his birth country during the upcoming summer tournament.
Source: theguardian.com
